Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting has highlighted the importance of Mitchell Starc and Adam Zampa for Australia’s chances in the 2023 World Cup. The tournament, set to take place in India later this year, would be Australia‘s chance to capture their sixth 50-over World Cup title.
Starc has been the leading wicket-taker in the last two 50-over World Cups and played a crucial role in Australia’s victorious 2015 campaign on home soil, where he took 22 scalps in eight matches at an impressive average of 10.18. Meanwhile, Zampa has been highly effective for Australia, particularly in the middle overs, and was the country’s highest ODI wicket-taker in 2022.
Speaking on the ICC Review podcast, Ponting praised Starc’s overall package, noting that he has been one of the world’s best for a long time. “He’s six-foot-five, bowls in the high 140-km per hour, he’s a left-arm and he swings the new ball back in as Suryakumar found out,” said Ponting, referring to Starc’s recent dismissal of the Indian batsman. “When he’s on a song, he’s as good as anyone in the world and has been for a long time.”
Ponting also addressed criticism Starc has faced in the past, stating that his numbers in white-ball cricket are “absolutely outstanding.” In the recently-concluded ODI series in India, Starc picked up eight wickets in the first two matches, including a five-wicket haul in the second game.
Zampa, too, has been a vital component of the Australian bowling attack. The leg-spinner has been highly effective in the middle overs, where he can pick up crucial wickets and stem the flow of runs. “Adam Zampa’s importance is his ability to take wickets in the middle overs,” said Ponting. “We’ve seen how much he’s improved over the last few years.”
Australia will have a good chance of winning another World Cup if the two players maintain their impressive form and consistently perform.